31 March 2016

What is the meaning of "avatar"?

Do you know what the word "avatar" means? Avatar is originated from Sanskrit language avatāra that means ‘descent,’ from ava ‘down’ + tar ‘to cross.’ You figure it out what that means yourself because that is far from what we perceive today.

Avatar (2009)

In Hinduism which the Sanskrit is believed to be the original language, avatar has a meaning of "a manifestation of a deity or released soul in bodily form on earth; an incarnate divine teacher". Pretty scary isn't it? Sounds like the true meaning as in the movie Avatar (2009), right?

Further, it is understood as an incarnation, embodiment, or manifestation of a person or idea. The example in a sentence: "He chose John Stuart Mill as the avatar of the liberal view."

So, what is the most relevant translation in our modern world? In computing world, it is perceived as "an icon or figure representing a particular person in computer games, Internet forums, etc."

Wikipedia describe it: an avatar is the graphical representation of the user or the user's alter ego or character. It may take either a three-dimensional form, as in games or virtual worlds, or a two-dimensional form as an icon in Internet forums and other online communities.

An avatar made in Hexatar.com

Now, that is exactly what we know these day. We make our avatar in many different format, cartoon, realistic drawing, photo, etc. Some are calling it "profile picture" too.

Today, almost all services that require you to have an account will force you to upload an image to "best represent" yourself. Each individual will have different style and taste in representing her or himself.

What is your style?

Try two app from us: PickaFace and/or Hexatar. These avatar creator web apps are very easy to use and produce stunning images. Try them yourself, hands-on, you will be surprised :-)